Easton-p'burg: A Favorite Haunt Over 3,000 Marchers Vie For Prizes

The spirit of Halloween pervaded Easton and Phillipsburg yesterday as some 60,000 spectators turned out to watch the good, the bad and the ugly take to the streets.

There were more than 3,000 marchers in the fourth annual Easton- Phillipsburg Halloween parade. Their costumes and uniforms, floats and vehicles displayed a wide range of colors and themes along a 2 1/2 -mile route that spanned the Delaware River via the Northampton Street free bridge.

This year's parade marshal was Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Joe Lefebvre. Parade chairman was Jim Fleming of the Phillipsburg Area Jaycees. Vice chairmen were Joe Olliff of the Easton Area Jaycees and Brenda Fleming. The event was sponsored by both Jaycee organizations, the town of Phillipsburg, city of Easton, Two Rivers Area Commerce Council and the Phillipsburg Chamber of Commerce.

Among the youngest and most innocent of the participants this year was the Littlest Pumpkin, Elizabeth Mazur, age 2 1/2 months. She was accompanied by her mother and her 2 1/2 -year-old brother, Paul, the Littlest Surgeon. There was the usual and imaginative complement of ghosts and goblins, witches and cats, mummies and vampires to celebrate the spookiness of the holiday.

And there was VFW Post 9308 of Phillipsburg. The masked veterans certainly received votes for the ugliest entrants this year. Upon hearing the comments of spectators along Easton's S. 3rd Street as to just how ugly he really looked, one unidentifiable veteran good naturedly yelled, "You should see me in the morning."

The parade drew a number of local school and out-of-town band performers, which were great crowd pleasers. Out-of-the-area performers in this year's parade were the Rajah Temple Oriental Band of Reading, the St. Peter's Drum Corps of Torrington, Conn., the Philadelphia Hegeman String Band and the Lakeland Brass of Lakeland, N.J.

The highlight of this year's parade, of course, were the floats. Some were cute. The World of Rainbow Brite and Cabbage Patch Hospital floats were standouts in that category.

Others were clever, such as the entry from Boy Scout Troop 103 of Whitehall, which touted the benefits of scouting. At the front of the float was a dragon's head and a banner with the question, "Is your life dragon?" Behind the dragon was a catapult loaded with confetti and another banner which said, "Get a lift from scouting."

There were rowdy floats like the YMCA Indian Guides. Members of that group took particular pleasure in putting war paint on the spectators.

Several Indian guides jumped into the reviewing stand to ambush Easton Mayor Sal Panto and Phillipsburg Mayor Paul Rummerfield with their colors. Luckily for the mayors, a mother in the crowd came prepared and offered them Baby Wipes to get the stuff off.

The most complex float was from the Delaware Park Fire Co. of Lopatcong. The fire company, which was celebrating its 75th year of service to the community, celebrated Octoberfest by reproducing a German beer garden complete with polka music and dancers. It was the first-place overall winner in the float category, receiving a $250 prize.

Individual costume award winner was Brad Dey, 4, of Palmer Township, as Little Michael Jackson. The second place winner in the individual costume awards was a last-minute entry, No. 106, a little girl dressed as a grey cat. Organizers of the parade were trying to get information about the entrant to notify her last night that she had won. Third place was taken by Colleen Theresa Mutchler, 2, of Easton, as the Cabbage Patch Kid with doll.

First place winner in the small group category was Rachel Dieter and Kamett Clymer of Easton as Raggedy Ann and Andy. Second place in that category was taken by Lesley Dieter and Diedre Sacco of Easton as the witch and her pet. Third place was given to Michelle, Joey and Eli Shober as Lady Chatterly and her Gentleman Friends.

First place winner in the large group category was Five Friends from Bloomsbury, N.J., in various costumes. Second place was awarded to the Spirit of Halloween of the Phillipsburg area, with third place taken by the K mart of Easton employees and their "We Care" theme.